Cate Blanchett announced as Wakehurst nature reserve ambassador

Actress Cate Blanchett, 54, is the first ambassador of Wakehurst Botanic Gardens, which is managed by Kew Gardens

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Lord of the Rings star Cate Blanchett isn't pollen your leg - she has a new role away from the big screen.

The Hollywood star has announced she is the first ambassador of Wakehurst in West Sussex, run by the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew.

Blossoming into her new role, the 54-year-old star has told of her joy as she takes on the new role which will see her promote the Millennium Seed Bank.

Cate, who lives in nearby East Sussex, with her husband and four kids, told how she regularly visits the site as she announced her new gig.

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The actress said: "I am delighted to be Wakehurst’s inaugural ambassador. I find the work done here to be utterly inspiring, and a genuine insurance policy against extinction of wild flora and fauna.

"The Millennium Seed Bank is a beacon of hope and international cooperation at a time when we’ve never needed it more.”

Considered one of the most biodiverse places on earth, the bank aims to find science-based solutions to some of the most pressing challenges the planet faces. Through her advocacy the actress hopes to raise awareness of the extraordinary work of the seed bank.

The Aussie star added: "Apart from it being a rich hub, Wakehurst is such a beautiful place to lose yourself in nature, in the immense varieties of trees, plants and grasses, that I want to help spread the word about this unique and stunning landscape that positively impacts all of our lives.”

Cate joins an existing programme of eleven esteemed Ambassadors and Champions who support the work of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, including fellow actors Dame Judi Dench, Emilia Fox and Kim Cattrall, botanist James Wong and garden historian and TV presenter Advolly Richmond, amongst others.

Richard Deverell, Director of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, said: "I am really delighted to welcome Cate into our fantastic Ambassador programme.

"She has been a powerful advocate on social and environmental issues throughout her career and I know she holds special affection for our wild botanic garden, Wakehurst, home to the Millennium Seed Bank. We look forward to working with Cate to bring the wonders of what we do to a wider audience and to celebrate nature together."

Marilena Reina, Head of Marketing and Strategic Communications at Wakehurst, added: "Wakehurst is so much more than a walk in a beautiful wild botanic garden: it is a vital living laboratory where conservation science thrives across our biodiverse landscapes and in our labs.

"With Cate’s support, we want to share why Wakehurst matters, and the reasons connecting to and protecting nature for future generations is so important.”